Arsenal legend Paul Merson has revealed the shock cause that he left his boyhood membership in 1997 for the second division.
Merson gained two league titles at Highbury and was thought to be one of the crucial thrilling gamers in Arsenal’s aspect. With the World Cup on the horizon, nevertheless, and Arsene Wenger about to steer the Gunners to a primary double since 1971, ‘Magic man Merse’ made the weird resolution to maneuver to Middlesbrough within the second tier.
The profession selection by no means really harmed Merson’s prospects with England: he nonetheless went to France ’98 and received on the pitch for his nation. However talking now to FourFourTwo, the Sky pundit has revealed why he selected to go away a title cost at Highbury for a promotion battle.
“Have you learnt what? For the primary time in my life, greed with my addictions,” he replies with unfiltered honesty. “My addictions again then had been actually flying.
“Arsenal provided me a four-year deal on £580,000 a yr – and Boro provided me 1,000,000 kilos a yr. I couldn’t fairly get my head round it.”
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An alcoholic in his early years, Merson later grew to become hooked on medication and playing. At Boro, he would hyperlink up with one other beloved and troubled England star, Paul Gascoigne – and although Merson admits now that he moved for the contract, he says that he did have a very good time there on the pitch.
“No disrespect to Middlesbrough, as a result of I cherished it once I lived there,” he provides. “However on the time, Bryan Robson and the cash to feed my addictions. That was a large a part of all of it.”
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